Fluid conduit connection system

ABSTRACT

A fluid conduit connection system includes a bearing assembly comprising a bearing pipe comprising a fluid flow path, and a bearing element stack located exterior to the bearing pipe and disposed substantially annularly about the bearing pipe, wherein the bearing element stack is configured to receive a compressive force from the bearing pipe and wherein the bearing element stack is configured to allow rotation of the bearing pipe about a center of rotation of the bearing assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/776,348 filed on Mar. 11, 2013 by John P. Smid, etal., entitled “FLUID CONDUIT CONNECTION SYSTEM,” which is incorporatedby reference herein as if reproduced in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Offshore hydrocarbon production systems may comprise a riser, such as asteel catenary riser (SCR), that serves as a fluid conduit between asubsea hydrocarbon source and a structure located relatively shallowerthan the riser. In some cases, the structure may comprise a stationaryplatform supported by a sea floor, a floating platform, a ship, and/orany other structure located relatively closer to a surface of the wateras compared to the fluid conduit. In some cases, the weight of the risermay be supported by the relatively more shallow structure. In somecases, risers and the structures that support risers may be movedrelative to each other by water currents, vortex induced vibrations,waves, and/or a variety of other perturbing forces. While riser supportbearings may be utilized to transfer weight of the riser to thestructure while also allowing some level of flexibility and/or relativemovement between the riser and the structure, some riser supportbearings achieve the above-described flexibility by allowingtranslational movement between components of the riser support bearings.In some cases, an interface between the components that move relative toeach other may at least partially define a fluid flow path of the risersupport bearing. In some cases, the fluid received from the riser mayescape the fluid flow path through a leak path between the componentsthat move relative to each other. Such leakage of fluid may result in anenvironmental concern and/or may cause deterioration of riser supportbearing elements.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the disclosure, a fluid conduit connection systemis disclosed as comprising a bearing assembly comprising a bearing pipecomprising a fluid flow path and a bearing element stack locatedexterior to the bearing pipe and disposed substantially annularly aboutthe bearing pipe, wherein the bearing element stack is configured toreceive a compressive force from the bearing pipe and wherein thebearing element stack is configured to allow rotation of the bearingpipe about a center of rotation of the bearing assembly.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, a fluid conduit connectionmethod is disclosed as comprising providing a bearing pipe comprising acontinuous inner wall that defines a flow path, providing a tensionforce to a tension end of the bearing pipe, disposing at least onebearing element stack external to the bearing pipe and annularly aboutthe bearing pipe, and transferring at least a portion of the tensionforce to the at least one bearing element stack, wherein the bearingpipe is allowed to move about a center of rotation as a function ofasymmetrical compression of the at least one bearing element stack.

In yet other embodiments of the disclosure, a hydrocarbon productionsystem is disclosed as comprising a fluid conduit, a fluid system, and afluid conduit connection system comprising an annular bearing elementstack, the fluid conduit connection system being configured to (1)connect the fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid systemand (2) provide a flexible connection between the fluid conduit and thefluid system.

In still other embodiments of the disclosure, a device is disclosed ascomprising a fluid conduit comprising a central axis and a fluid conduitflange associated with an end of the fluid conduit and a split flangehaving an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration, thesplit flange comprising a first arcuate portion comprising a body andtwo arcuate protrusions extending circumferentially from the body, and asecond arcuate portion comprising a body and two arcuate protrusionsextending circumferentially from the body, wherein when the split flangeis in the assembled configuration, the arcuate protrusions of the firstarcuate portion at least partially longitudinally overlap the arcuateprotrusions of the second arcuate portion and the split flangesubstantially encircles the fluid conduit, wherein when the split flangeis in the disassembled configuration, the split flange does notsubstantially encircle the fluid conduit, and wherein the split flangeis moveable between the assembled configuration and the disassembledconfiguration by moving at least one of the first arcuate portion andthe second arcuate portion radially relative to the central axis of thefluid conduit.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, a method of disassembling abearing assembly is disclosed as comprising decoupling a split flange ofa bearing assembly from a fluid conduit of the bearing assembly andremoving the fluid conduit from the bearing assembly by displacing thefluid conduit through a central bore of a bearing element stack of thebearing assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following briefdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings anddetailed description:

FIG. 1 is an orthogonal side view of an hydrocarbon production systemaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an oblique top view of a fluid conduit connection system ofthe hydrocarbon production system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an oblique top view of a bearing assembly of the fluidconduit connection system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is an oblique bottom view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an orthogonal top view of the bearing assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is an orthogonal cross-sectional front view of the bearingassembly of FIG. 3A taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 5A is an oblique exploded top view of a portion of the bearingassembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5B is an oblique exploded bottom view of the portion of the bearingassembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is an oblique top view of a bearing assembly including anexploded view of a split flange according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 7 is an orthogonal cut-away side view of a portion of analternative bearing assembly according to another embodiment thedisclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of disassembling a fluid conduitconnection system (FCCS).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some cases, it may be desirable to provide a fluid conduit connectionsystem (FCCS) that is free of internal seals and/or potential leak pathswhile also being suitable for both supporting weight of a fluid conduitand providing a movable connection between the fluid conduit and anothercomponent or system. In some embodiments of the disclosure, an FCCS isprovided to allow the above-described connection by providing a closedfluid flow path through a high-capacity laminate (HCL) elastomericbearing assembly. In some embodiments, the closed fluid flow path may beprovided by disposing a bearing pipe comprising a continuous inner wallthrough an aperture of the bearing assembly.

Referring to FIG. 1, an orthogonal side view of a hydrocarbon productionsystem 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. Mostgenerally, the hydrocarbon production system 100 comprises a fluidconduit 102, a support structure 104 configured to support at least aportion of the weight of the fluid conduit 102, a fluid system 106 towhich the fluid conduit 102 is selectively joined to in fluidcommunication, and a fluid conduit connection system (FCCS) 108 thatconnects the fluid conduit 102 to the fluid system 106. In someembodiments, the fluid conduit 102 may comprise a riser, such as, butnot limited to, a steel catenary riser. In some embodiments, the supportstructure 104 may be a buoyant hydrocarbon production rig or platform, afreestanding hydrocarbon production rig, a ship, a helicopter, and/orany other structure that may be located and/or moved relative to thefluid conduit 102 in a manner that may cause a tensile force along thefluid conduit 102 when the fluid conduit 102 is connected to the fluidsystem 106. In some cases, the above-described tensile force may bepartially attributable to a weight of the fluid conduit 102 and/orfluids within the fluid conduit 102. In some cases, the above-describedtensile force may be partially attributable movement of the fluidconduit 102 relative the support structure 104. In some cases, the FCCS108 may be carried, supported, and/or restrained by the supportstructure 104 and the FCCS 108 may be configured to transfer theabove-described tensile force to the support structure 104 while alsoallowing movement of the fluid conduit 102 relative to at least one ofthe support structure 104 and the fluid system 106.

Referring to FIG. 2, an oblique top view of an FCCS 108 according to anembodiment of the disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the FCCS 108generally comprises a flexible conduit 110 and a bearing assembly 112connected in fluid communication with the flexible conduit 110. Bearingassembly 112 may generally comprise a bearing element stack 114 capturedbetween an upper or inner member 116 and a lower or outer member 118, abearing pipe 120, and a bracket 122. Flexible conduit 110 may comprise afluid system connection end 124 and a bearing assembly connection end126. Bearing pipe 120 may comprise a tension end 128 and a flexibleconduit connection end 130. In some embodiments, FCCS 108 may beconfigured to operate in environments ranging in temperature from about−10° C. to about 200° C. In this embodiment, tension end 128 of bearingpipe 120 includes a split flange 250, which will be described in greaterdetail below. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, bearing assembly 112 is showndisposed above the waterline 105. However, in other embodiments, thebearing assembly 112 may be disposed below the water line. In thisembodiment, bearing assembly 112 may be coupled directly to supportstructure 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C and FIG. 4, an oblique top view, an obliquebottom view, an orthogonal top view, and an orthogonal cross-sectionalfront view of the bearing assembly 112 are shown, respectively. In thisembodiment, bearing assembly 112 may be described as comprising acentral axis 132 shared by or coincident with central axes of bracket122, bearing pipe 120, and bearing element stack 114. Bracket 122 may beconfigured to support the weight of the remainder of the FCCS 108 andany other tension applied to the tension end 128 of the bearing pipe 120in a direction generally away from the flexible conduit connection end130.

In this embodiment, bracket 122 may be described as generally comprisinga bracket receiver 134 and a bracket mount 136. Bracket receiver 134 maycomprise a receiver upper end 138 and a receiver lower end 140. Bracketreceiver 134 may further comprise an annular wall 142 comprising a wallinner surface 144 and a wall outer surface 146. In this embodiment,bracket receiver 134 further comprises a floor plate 148 that extendsboth radially inward toward central axis 132 beyond the annular wallinner surface 144 and radially outward away from central axis 132 beyondthe annular wall outer surface 146. The floor plate 148 may comprise anupper floor plate surface 150 and a lower floor plate surface 152. Insome embodiments, a plurality of floor bolts 154 (see FIGS. 3B and 4)may extend through floor plate 148 and the floor bolts 154 may serve asjacking screws to decouple the outer member 118 from the bracketreceiver 134. In this embodiment, bracket mount 136 may be described ascomprising a radially inner mount end 156 and a radially outer mount end158. The radially inner mount end 156 may be connected to the bracketreceiver 134 while the radially outer mount end 158 may be configuredfor connection to the support structure 104.

Still referring to FIGS. 3A-3C and FIG. 4, in this embodiment, bearingpipe 120 may comprise a tubular wall 160 having a bearing pipe innersurface 162 defining a flow path 164 extending through the bearingassembly 112. More specifically, the flow path 164 may extend throughcentral apertures in each of the bearing element stack 114, inner member116, and outer member 118. In this embodiment, bearing pipe 120 mayfurther comprise a bearing pipe flange 166 extending radially outwardfrom a generally frustoconical tubular wall outer surface 168 having atubular wall outer surface central diameter 169. Because tubular wallouter surface 168 is generally frustoconical, the outer surface centraldiameter 169 may be tapered along central axis 132 such that diameter169 is greater at bearing pipe flange 166 than at split flange 250. Thebearing pipe flange 166 may comprise a flange lower surface 170configured to selectively abut against the inner member 116. In anembodiment, flow path 164 may comprise a diameter within a range ofvalues of about 7″ and about 10″. In an embodiment, tubular wall 160 maycomprise a tubular wall outer diameter within a range of values of about9″ and about 12″. However, in other embodiments, tubular wall 160 maycomprise a tubular wall outer diameter within a range of values of about9″ to about 24″. In an embodiment, bearing pipe 120 may be configured tooperate at fluid pressures up to about 20,000 pounds per square inch(psi). As will be discussed further herein, bearing pipe 120 may rotateabout a bearing assembly 112 center of rotation 172 that may liecoincident with the bearing assembly 112 central axis 132 and a plane171 that extends laterally (relative to central axis 132) and which maybe generally coincident with flexible conduit connection end 130. Insome embodiments, an insulative material comprising a relatively lowthermal conductivity may be disposed between the bearing pipe 120 andthe bearing element stack 114. For example, a sleeve of mica which hasrelatively high strength, relative high stiffness, and relatively lowthermal conductivity may be used to thermally insulate the bearingelement stack 114 from the potentially very hot bearing pipe 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, exploded oblique top and explodedoblique bottom views, respectively, of the bearing element stack 114,inner member 116, and outer member 118 are shown. In this embodiment,the bearing element stack 114 may comprise a bearing stack outer profile174 and an inner profile 175, where profiles 174 and 175 may each beexposed to the ambient environment. The bearing element stack 114 maycomprise a plurality of flexible elements 176, a plurality ofintermediate shims 178 disposed between adjacent flexible elements 176,an upper bonding shim 180, and a lower bonding shim 182. When thebearing assembly 112 is assembled, the cooperation of the bearingelement stack 114, inner member 116, and outer member 118 may generallyallow limited rotation of the bearing pipe 120 about the center ofrotation 172 in orbital-type movements about the center of rotation 172and torsional rotation about the central axis of the bearing pipe 120and/or the bearing assembly 112 central axis 132 while the bracket 122remains substantially stationary relative to the support structure 104.In some embodiments, the bearing element stack 114 may comprise no upperbonding shim 180 so that flexible elements 176 may interface directlywith the inner member 116. In some embodiments, the bearing elementstack 114 may comprise no lower bonding shim 182 so that flexibleelements 176 may interface directly with the outer member 118. Theflexible elements 176 may be coated by materials different from thematerial of the base and/or primary flexible element material to imparta greater chemical resistance to the bearing element stack 114. Forexample, when the flexible elements 176 comprise nitrile, rubber, and/orother elastomers, the flexible elements 176 may be at least partiallycoated by a high performance coating (HPC) comprising hydrocarbon fluidresistive properties. Similarly, intermediate shims 178, upper bondingshim 180, and lower bonding shim 182 may be coated by materialsdifferent from the base and/or primary shim 178, 180, 182 materials toimpart greater chemical and/or corrosion resistance to the bearingelement stack 114. For example, the shims 178, 180, 182 may be coated bypaint, adhesive, ceramics, and/or metallized coatings.

In this embodiment, inner member 116 may comprise an inner member body184 having a central bore 186 with a generally frustoconical innermember inner surface 187 having an inner member central bore diameter188. The inner member 116 may further comprise a substantially flatinner member upper surface 190 and a substantially convex inner memberlower surface 192. Central bore diameter 188 of frustoconical centralbore 186 may be tapered along central axis 132 such that central borediameter 188 is greater at inner member upper surface 190 than at innermember lower surface 192. Inner member 116 may further comprise an innerflange 194 that projects upward from inner member upper surface 190 andwhich may be disposed adjacent to inner member central bore 186.

The frustoconical inner member inner surface 187 of inner member 116 maybe configured for selective abutment with the tubular wall outer surface168 of bearing pipe 120 when bearing pipe 120 is placed in tension by aforce applied to the tension end 128 of the bearing pipe 120. The innermember inner flange 194 may also be configured for selective abutmentwith the bearing pipe flange lower surface 170 when the bearing pipe 120is placed in tension by a force applied to the tension end 128 of thebearing pipe 120. However, bearing pipe flange 166 may be configured totransmit only enough of a seating force 242 (see FIG. 4) between bearingpipe flange lower surface 170 and inner member inner flange 194 in orderto seat or wedge inner member inner surface 187 against tubular wallouter surface 168. The physical engagement between frustoconicalsurfaces 187 and 168 via the seating force may be configured to resist avertical force (e.g., a force in the direction opposite of the tensionforce) along bearing pipe 120 that may act to unseat bearing pipe 120from inner member 116. In this embodiment, the frustoconical surfaces187 and 168 may act as the primary load path for a tension force appliedto the tension end 128 of bearing pipe 120.

In this embodiment, outer member 118 may generally comprise an outermember body 198 comprising an outer member central bore 200 having anouter member central bore diameter 202. The outer member body 198 maycomprise a substantially concave outer member upper surface 204 and asubstantially flat outer member lower surface 206. In this embodiment,the inner member central bore diameter 188 may generally be smaller insize than the outer member central bore diameter 202. Outer member 118may further comprise a generally frustoconical outer member outersurface 244 having a tapered outer diameter 246 that is greater at outermember upper surface 204 than at outer member lower surface 206.

In this embodiment, inner member 116 and outer member 118 may be formedfrom low alloy steel such as steel alloys 4130 and 4140 and/or any othersuitable material. In this embodiment, upper bonding shim 180 and lowerbonding shim 182 may be configured as interfaces between the bearingelement stack 114 and inner member 116 and outer member 118 to reducemanufacturing complexity of bearing assembly 112 and improvereparability of bearing assembly 112. Upper bonding shim 180 and lowerbonding shim 182 may be formed from a steel alloy, such as alloys 4130and 4140, stainless steel, and/or any other suitable material. Upperbonding shim 180 and lower bonding shim 182 may be bonded to adjacentflexible elements 176 to reduce relative translational movement betweenthe adjacent flexible elements 176 and the upper bonding shim 180 andthe lower bonding shim 182. Upper bonding shim 180 may comprise an upperbonding shim body 208 comprising an upper bonding shim central bore 210having a diameter 212. The upper bonding shim body 208 may comprise asubstantially concave upper bonding shim upper surface 214 and asubstantially convex upper bonding shim lower surface 216. The lowerbonding shim 182 may comprise a lower bonding shim body 218 comprising acentral bore 220 having a diameter 222. The lower bonding shim body 218may comprise a substantially concave lower bonding shim upper annularsurface 224 and a substantially convex lower bonding shim lower surface226.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B, the bearing element stack 114 maybe configured to pliably deform in response to compression of thebearing element stack 114 between the upper bonding shim 180 and thelower bonding shim 182. In some cases, the bearing element stack 114 maydeform by longitudinally compressing and/or radially expanding (relativeto central axis 132) in response to being compressed between the upperbonding shim 180 and the lower bonding shim 182. In this embodiment,each flexible element 176 may comprise a flexible element central bore228 having a flexible element central bore diameter 230, a substantiallyconcave upper surface 232 and a substantially convex lower surface 234.The flexible element central bore diameter 230 of the flexible elements176 may increase in size moving from higher to lower while maintaining asubstantially constant annular thickness and/or width of the flexibleelements 176.

In this embodiment, flexible elements 176 may comprise elastomericmaterials. The bearing element stack 114 may comprise a high capacitylaminate (HCL) bearing manufactured by LORD Corporation located at 111Lord Drive Cary, NC 27511. It will be appreciated that because fluidswhich may contain hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals will not leakonto the flexible elements 176 via a leak path through the bearing pipe120, a wide variety of elastomeric or pliable materials may be used informing the bearing element stack 114 without concern of prematuredegradation of the bearing element stack 114 due to a fluid leak fromwithin the bearing pipe 120. More specifically, because the fluid sealsthat join the bearing pipe 120 to the fluid conduit 102 and flexibleconduit 110 do not allow movement at the sealing junctions between thebearing pipe 120 and the fluid conduit 102 and/or flexible conduit 110,there is reduced opportunity for movement to cause wear at the sealsthat may lead to seal failure and potential exposure to hydrogensulfide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon fluids, natural gas, acidificationinjection fluids, injected solvents, and/or incrustation removal fluids.Further, because the bearing element stack 114 is not enclosed in apressurized housing the bearing stack outer profile 174 and innerprofile 175 may be easily visually inspected from above and below,respectively. Also, because the bearing element stack 114 is generallyexposed to the environment, the heat generated by flexure of the bearingelement stack 114 may be readily dissipated to the environment (i.e.surrounding air and/or water) thereby allowing the bearing element stack114 to comprise relatively stronger elastomeric materials than could beused in an enclosed housing. Similarly, the reduced potential for leaksallows construction of the bearing element stack to comprise metalswhich may be stronger but otherwise are not as resistant to degradationin response to exposure to one or more of the above-described leakedfluids. Still further, the bearing assembly 112 overall weight may below because it requires no pressurized housing to enclose the bearingelement stack 114.

Referring to FIG. 4, in operation, the bearing pipe 120 tension end 128may be coupled to a fluid conduit 102, such as a steel catenary riser,in a manner that provides a tensioning force 236 having a longitudinalforce component 238 and a lateral force component 240 to the bearingpipe 120. Tensioning force 236 may be transferred from bearing pipe 120to inner member 116 via physical engagement between the tubular wallouter surface 168 and the inner member 116 inner surface 187. Because ofthe angled physical engagement between frustoconical surfaces 168 and187, the lateral force component 240 may be transferred from bearingpipe 120, through inner member 116 and the bearing element stack 114,thereby resulting in asymmetrical deformation of the bearing elementstack 114 and the above-described movement of the bearing pipe 120 aboutthe center of rotation 172. Tension force 236 may be transferred fromthe bearing element stack 114 to the outer member 118 which may thentransfer substantially all forces to the support structure 104 via thebracket 122.

In some embodiments, the FCCS 108 may allow for easy visual inspectionas a function of the bearing element stack 114 not being fully enclosedand/or obscured from view. Further, in some embodiments, bearing pipes120 of different sizes may be accommodated by the FCCS 108 byalternating a size of the inner member 116 and/or optionally portions ofthe bearing element stack 114 to create a greater diameter centralaperture.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an oblique top view of bearing assembly 112including an exploded view of split flange 250 is shown. In thisembodiment, split flange 250 may generally comprise a first arcuateportion 252 and a second arcuate portion 254, where first arcuateportion 252 and second arcuate portion 254 may be configured to coupleabout bearing pipe 120 at tension end 128. Bearing pipe 120 may comprisea lower bearing pipe flange 256 extending radially outward from thetubular wall outer surface 168 at tension end 128. Lower bearing pipeflange 256 may comprise a generally cylindrical lower pipe flange outersurface 258, an annular lower pipe flange upward facing surface 260 andan annular lower pipe flange downward facing surface 262. In anembodiment, lower pipe flange downward facing surface 262 may beconfigured to interface with a standard American Petroleum Institute(API) 6A flange geometry. In other embodiments, lower pipe flangedownward facing surface 262 may be configured to interface with otherflange geometries.

In this embodiment, the split flange first arcuate portion 252 maygenerally comprise a body 264 having a first arcuate lower inner surface266 and a first arcuate upper inner surface 268 disposed axially abovethe first arcuate lower inner surface 266 and extends radially inwardfrom first arcuate lower inner surface 266. First arcuate portion 252may further comprise first arcuate protrusions 270 that extendcircumferentially from body 264 and a first arcuate downward facingflanged surface 272. In an embodiment, a cut 274 may extend partiallyinto first arcuate upper inner surface 268 at a terminal end of each thefirst arcuate protrusion 270.

In this embodiment, split flange second arcuate portion 254 maygenerally comprise a body 276 having a second arcuate lower innersurface 278 and a second arcuate upper inner surface 280 disposedaxially above second arcuate lower inner surface 278 and extendsradially inward from second arcuate lower inner surface 278. Secondarcuate portion 254 may further comprise two second arcuate protrusions282 that extend circumferentially from body 276 and a second arcuatedownward facing flanged surface 284. In an embodiment, a chamfer 286 mayextend partially into the second arcuate lower inner surface 278 at aterminal end of each of the second arcuate protrusions 282.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 6, split flange 250 may include adisassembled configuration as shown in FIG. 6 and an assembledconfiguration as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In an embodiment, when in theassembled configuration, first arcuate protrusions 270 and secondarcuate protrusions 282 may overlap such that one or more of a pluralityof holes 288 extending through first arcuate protrusions 270 and 282 mayaxially align. First arcuate portion 252 and second arcuate portion 254may be selectively coupled together about lower bearing pipe flange 256via a bolt or other generally cylindrical body (not shown) disposed inone or more of the plurality of holes 288. In the assembledconfiguration, split flange 250 may be configured to selectively abutagainst the lower pipe flange upward facing surface 260 of lower bearingpipe flange 256.

In an embodiment, first arcuate downward facing flanged surface 272 andsecond arcuate downward facing flanged surface 284 may be configured forselective abutment with the annular lower pipe flange upward facingsurface 260 when the bearing pipe 120 is placed in tension by a forceapplied to the tension end 128 of the bearing pipe 120. In thisembodiment, cuts 274 and chamfers 286 may be configured to provideradial clearance so as to allow first arcuate portion 252 and secondarcuate portion 254, respectively, to disengage from lower bearing pipeflange 256 via displacing laterally outward from central axis 132, asshown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an orthogonal cut-away view of a portion of analternative embodiment of a bearing assembly 300 is shown. The bearingassembly 300 may comprise a bearing element stack 302 captured betweenan outer member 304 and an inner member 306. The bearing assembly 300may further comprise a bearing pipe 308 that comprises a tension end 310configured to receive a tension force, such as tension force 312, from afluid conduit, such as, but not limited to a catenary riser. As comparedto the bearing assembly 112, the directionality of the concave andconvex features of each of the bearing element stack 302, the outermember 304, and the inner member 306 are reversed relative to adirection of a source of a tension load applied to the bearing pipe 308.In this embodiment, a flexible conduit, such as, but not limited to, aflexible conduit 110 may be connected to the pipe end 314. Additionally,as compared to the bearing assembly 112, a center of rotation 316 of thebearing assembly 300 is located nearer the tension end 310 rather thannearer the pipe end 314.

In yet other alternative embodiments, the lower members (outer member118 and inner member 306) may be supported by a platform floor of a rigrather than by the above-described bracket. In some embodiments, theupper members (inner member 116 and outer member 304) may be bolted orotherwise fastened to the bearing pipes. In some embodiments one or morecomponents of the fluid conduit connection systems disclosed herein maybe disposed within a body of water, and as a result, may dissipate heatto the body of water. In some embodiments, installing the fluid conduitconnection systems does not require significant preloading and/orcompression of the bearing assembly components. In some embodiments, bynot having a potential leak path within the bearing assembly, relativelyhigher working pressure may be achieved within the bearing assemblywithout causing fluid leakage from the bearing assembly. In someembodiments, the bearing assembly may allow a bearing pipe to rotatewithin a cone of rotation of up to about 25 degrees. In someembodiments, the bearing pipe outer diameters may range from about 4inches outer diameter to about 25 or more inches outer diameter. In someembodiments, the fluid conduit connection systems may be able towithstand tensile forces of up to about 5,000-11,000 kips. In someembodiments, the flexible conduits may comprise carbon fiber and/orcomposite materials.

As used herein, first member encompasses inner member 116 of theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. Additionally, as used herein, firstmember encompasses outer member 304 of the embodiment of illustrated inFIG. 7. Similarly, as used herein, second member encompasses outermember 118 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. Additionally, asused herein, second member encompasses inner member 306 of theembodiment of illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a block diagram depicting a method 400 ofdisassembling a FCCS, such as FCCS 108, is shown. The method may beginat block 410 by decoupling a fluid conduit from a bearing assembly. Inan embodiment, decoupling a fluid conduit from a bearing assembly maycomprise disengaging and/or removing bolts or other fasteners couplingthe fluid conduit to the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly maycomprise a HCL elastomeric bearing assembly, such as the bearingassembly 112. The fluid conduit may comprise a flexible conduit, such asthe flexible conduit 110. The FCCS may comprise a support structureconfigured to support at least a portion of the weight of the fluidconduit and a fluid system coupled to the fluid conduit, such as thesupport structure 104 of FCCS 108.

The method 400 may continue at block 420 where the bearing assembly maybe removed from the bracket. Removing the bearing assembly from thebracket may generally comprise displacing the bearing assemblyvertically and/or longitudinally along a central axis of the bearingassembly, such as central axis 132, and then laterally displacing thebearing assembly from the bracket. In an embodiment, removing thebearing assembly from the bracket may also comprise retrieving thebearing assembly top side (i.e., above the water line) to a surfacevessel, such as an offshore hydrocarbon production rig or platform. Inthis embodiment, removing the bearing assembly may further comprisevisually inspecting the bearing assembly for damage or wear.

In an embodiment, removing the bearing assembly from the bracket maycomprise decoupling the bearing assembly from the bracket. The bracketmay be disposed either above or below a water line and may be supportedby a buoyant hydrocarbon production platform or other support structure,such as support structure 104. The bracket may be configured to supportat least a portion of the weight of the FCCS and any other tensionforced applied to the bearing assembly. In an embodiment, the bracketmay generally comprise a bracket receiver and a bracket mount, such asbracket 122.

The method 400 may continue at block 430 where a split flange of thebearing assembly may be disassembled. The split flange may be coupled toa bearing pipe of the bearing assembly, such as bearing pipe 120. Thesplit flange may comprise two arcuate portions coupled about a bearingpipe of the bearing assembly, such as first arcuate portion 252 andsecond arcuate portion 254 of split flange 250. Disassembling the splitflange may further comprise removing a bolt or other fastener disposedat least partially within a hole extending axially through the splitflange. In this embodiment, the bolt may extend through a first arcuateportion and a second arcuate portion of the split flange. The first andsecond arcuate portions may be displaced laterally from the bearing piperelative to a central axis of the bearing assembly (shown in FIG. 6).

The method 400 may continue at block 440 where a bearing pipe of thebearing assembly may be extracted or removed from the bearing assembly.In an embodiment, extracting the bearing pipe from the bearing assemblymay comprise vertically or axially displacing the bearing pipe through acentral bore of the bearing assembly along a central axis of the bearingassembly, such as central axis 132. The bearing pipe may comprise alower bearing pipe flange, such as lower bearing pipe flange 256. Inthis embodiment, an outer surface of the lower pipe flange, such aslower pipe flange outer surface 258, may be configured such that it hasa diameter that is the same size or smaller than a diameter of thecentral bore of the bearing assembly, allowing the lower pipe flange tobe displaced axially through the central bore of the bearing assembly.

The method 400 may continue at block 450 where a bearing element stack,such as bearing element stack 114, may be inspected and/or replaced. Inthis embodiment, the method 400 may comprise replacing the bearingelement stack 114 as a unit, reassembling the bearing assembly 112, andinstalling the bearing assembly 112 into a hydrocarbon production system100 to at least partially form the FCCS 108. Reassembling the bearingassembly may comprise extending the bearing pipe 120 through the bearingelement stack 114 and assembling a split flange 250 of the bearingassembly 112. Installing the bearing assembly 112 into the hydrocarbonproduction system 100 may comprise installing and coupling the bearingassembly 112 to the bracket 122 and coupling a flexible conduit 110 tothe bearing assembly 112.

Other embodiments of the current invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from a consideration of this specification orpractice of the invention disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoingspecification is considered merely exemplary of the current inventionwith the true scope thereof being defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid conduit connection system, comprising: abearing assembly, including: a bearing pipe having a fluid flow path;and a bearing element stack located exterior to the bearing pipe anddisposed substantially annularly about the bearing pipe; wherein thebearing element stack is configured to receive a compressive force fromthe bearing pipe and wherein the bearing element stack is configured toallow rotation of the bearing pipe about a center of rotation of thebearing assembly.
 2. The fluid conduit connection system of claim 1, thebearing assembly further comprising a first member disposed between thebearing pipe and the bearing element stack.
 3. The fluid conduitconnection system of claim 1, the bearing assembly further comprising: abracket configured to receive the bearing element stack; and a secondmember disposed between the bracket and the bearing element stack. 4.The fluid conduit connection system of claim 1, further comprising: aflexible conduit connected to a first end of the bearing pipe; wherein asecond end of the bearing pipe is configured to receive a tension force.5. The fluid connection system of claim 4, wherein the center ofrotation is located closer to the first end of the bearing pipe than thesecond end of the bearing pipe.
 6. The fluid connection system of claim1, wherein the center of rotation is coincident with a central axis ofthe bearing pipe.
 7. The fluid connection system of claim 1, wherein thebearing pipe further comprises a continuous inner wall.
 8. The fluidconnection system of claim 7, wherein the continuous inner wall extendslongitudinally through an entire longitudinal length of the bearingelement stack.
 9. A fluid conduit connection method, comprising:providing a bearing pipe including a continuous inner wall that definesa flow path; providing a tension force to a tension end of the bearingpipe; disposing at least one bearing element stack external to thebearing pipe and annularly about the bearing pipe; and transferring atleast a portion of the tension force to the at least one bearing elementstack; wherein the bearing pipe is allowed to move about a center ofrotation as a function of asymmetrical compression of the at least onebearing element stack.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:transferring at least a portion of the tension force to a supportstructure via a bracket configured to retain the bearing element stackrelative to the support structure.
 11. The method of claim 9, whereinthe location of the center of rotation is determined as a function ofthe shape of the bearing element stack.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein the center of rotation is coincident with a central axis of thebearing pipe.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the center of rotationis located longitudinally along the central axis of the bearing pipe ata location exterior to an aperture of the bearing element stack.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the bearing element stack is configured toallow rotation of the bearing pipe relative to the bearing element stackabout a central axis of the bearing pipe by elastically deforming thebearing element stack.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the tensionforce is provided to the bearing pipe from a riser.
 16. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the center of rotation is located nearer an end of thebearing pipe opposite the tension end than the tension end.
 17. Ahydrocarbon production system, comprising: a fluid conduit; a fluidsystem; and a fluid conduit connection system including an annularbearing element stack, the fluid conduit connection system beingconfigured to (1) connect the fluid conduit in fluid communication withthe fluid system and (2) provide a flexible connection between the fluidconduit and the fluid system.
 18. The hydrocarbon production system ofclaim 17, wherein the annular bearing element stack further comprises ahigh-capacity laminate material.
 19. The hydrocarbon production systemof claim 18, wherein the fluid conduit connection system furthercomprises a bearing pipe having a continuous inner wall and wherein thecontinuous inner wall extends through a central aperture of the annularbearing element stack.
 20. The hydrocarbon production system of claim19, wherein the fluid conduit further comprises a catenary riserconnected to the bearing pipe, the fluid system is associated with asupport structure and is connected to the bearing pipe, and at least aportion of the weight of the catenary riser is transferred to thesupport structure via the fluid conduit connection system.
 21. A device,comprising: a fluid conduit comprising a central axis and a fluidconduit flange associated with an end of the fluid conduit; and a splitflange having an assembled configuration and a disassembledconfiguration, the split flange including: a first arcuate portionincluding a body and two arcuate protrusions extending circumferentiallyfrom the body; and a second arcuate portion including a body and twoarcuate protrusions extending circumferentially from the body; whereinwhen the split flange is in the assembled configuration, the arcuateprotrusions of the first arcuate portion at least partiallylongitudinally overlap the arcuate protrusions of the second arcuateportion and the split flange substantially encircles the fluid conduit;wherein when the split flange is in the disassembled configuration, thesplit flange does not substantially encircle the fluid conduit; andwherein the split flange is moveable between the assembled configurationand the disassembled configuration by moving at least one of the firstarcuate portion and the second arcuate portion radially relative to thecentral axis of the fluid conduit.
 22. A method of disassembling abearing assembly, comprising: decoupling a split flange of a bearingassembly from a fluid conduit of the bearing assembly; and removing thefluid conduit from the bearing assembly by displacing the fluid conduitthrough a central bore of a bearing element stack of the bearingassembly.